Cowboys Send Two Draft Picks To Steelers For Joey Porter Jr.

The Dallas Cowboys have traded for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Per conditions on the 2027 pick, Porter needs to be on the Cowboys’ game-day roster for two games this season, a source told ESPN.

Porter has been inactive for all three games this season for the Steelers. Listed with a back injury, tensions between Porter and the Steelers have been building throughout the offseason through Week 4. 

Porter, with one year left on his contract, sought a contract extension, but with both parties in a stalemate, a trade seemed likely.

Dallas’s defense, ranked dead last in the league with the most points allowed per game, has now added Porter, who has allowed only one touchdown in his career and zero during man coverage.

Arriving in Dallas, Porter spoke with the media when asked about his back; he smiled and said his back was “feeling better.”

“We’re just trying to take things day by day, and if everything looks good, then we should be out there,” Porter said.

Days after being traded, Porter will suit up for the Cowboys in Week 4 against the Houston Texans. Porter last played in the AFC Wild Card game against the Texans, losing 30-6.

“I think it really just gave me the utmost confidence because I feel like I played well last time I played them in the playoffs,” Porter said. “So now the first time I’m suiting up, hopeful suit up, it’ll be against them. I mean that would be ideal. I’m pretty used to their scheme, and what they want to do with C.J. Stroud, I think I could be a matchup for that.”

The Cowboys’ pass defense has improved so far this season, ranked 13th compared to 32nd last season. With the addition of Porter, this pass defense could leap into the top 10.